Choosing type/brand of implants - Mentor or Motiva? (photos)

Generally speaking, most of the big four manufacturers (Allergan, Mentor, Motiva, Sientra) have a similar catalog. The offerings of each are typically mirrored in the catalog of their competitors.

While there are slight differences in gel and shell, the decision is often a function of surgeon preference/comfort.

The Motiva is the new kid on the block (here in the US) and their new microtextured device does demonstrate reduced capsular contracture rates (based on available data).

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Dear milktrukjusarrive,
breast implant type and sizing selection is a complicated process and requires a detailed consultation that includes a discussion of your goals, a detailed examination, and a lengthy discussion. But the decision will always start and end with the patient. When it comes to sizing, we have all of our patients find 3 photos of their desired breast size. We ask for naked breast photos because clothing can obscure the true size (push up bras). Next, we consult with patients and go over the photos and take detailed breast measurements during a physical exam. Next, we using a sizing algorithm to determine a range of implants that will work based on the exam and the measurements.Lastly, during the operation, we use silicone sizers in the operating room to see how the size actually looks in the breast. We sit the patient up in the operating room, while asleep of course, and compare the sizer result with their desired look photos. If it is too small, we start the process over with a slightly larger implant. We don't stop until we get the perfect match.Of all of my breast augmentation patients, every one of them has been happy with their size due to this detailed and meticulous process. You don't want to invest time and money into a result that is either too big or too small.You should discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon and make sure that your surgeon understands your goals.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question! Between those choices, I would likely recommend Mentor. However, I think Allergan makes a good product also. Their fully cohesive implant has the least amount of rippling of any implant on the market. Good luck!

Hello, in your photos it can be seen that you have very little glandular tissue or the implant cover and I think that the best technique would be with a submuscular pocket or dual plane, and the size you want from the photos of your dreams, I think that in the first surgery it would be very difficult to find, and the brand is both very good

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon' s experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

The data is clear: Motiva implants have the lowest risk of capsular contracture. Dual plane is the standard for breast implants, and has no more risk of flipping than any other plane.

Hi. It is nice to have the choices, but you should ask your surgeon what his or her actual recommendation is and I tend to favor that. I do not have any experience with Motiva, so cannot comment on those implants. But I know that Mentor makes excellent implants. Just based on the pictures, which obviously does not do the same justice as a physical examination, I would recommend placement of implants under the muscle. But again, I would ask your surgeon what his or her recommendation is.
Good luck and take care,
Dr. Howell

Motiva and Mentor both make excellent implants reviewing your photos, I don’t think that dual plane is necessary. You would be a great candidate for either a sub muscular or sub fascial augmentation. the implant volume in profile should be carefully chosen to give you your goal results

I recommend using Mentor implants placed behind the muscle for the best coverage and better upper breast fullness. the wish photos you posted will be too large and heavy for your frame and tissue. Please do not try and go to large. Your tissue will not support such heavy implants.

The most important decision when considering breast augmentation is probably the provider. You didn’t mention anything about that. Quality breast augmentation is based on three variables. The first is the patient candidacy for the procedure. The second is the choice of implants in regards to type size and shape. The third variable is the technical ability to place the implant in the correct position.
You should focus your effort on each three of the variables. Do you have a clear understanding of your own candidacy for the procedure? Did your surgeon discuss your breast position on your chest and the slight breast divergence?
The after pictures you’ve included are of women whose breast are quite different than your own.
Each plastic surgeon will have their own method of helping patients choose implant types.
Most plastic surgeons have a preferred way of placing the implant either above or below the muscle. Some providers will use both placements.
Most plastic surgeons, who have strong emphasis on breast documentation prefer sub peal placement. It is in my opinion better procedure.
I generally recommend patients start the process by having multiple in person, consultations with plastic surgeons in their community. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients who had similar body characteristics to your own. Bring pictures of your body with you to use as reference when reviewing before and after pictures. Make careful note regarding your breast positions on your chest, including the distance between your breast, and your breast are slightly lateral.
Ask providers to show you as many pictures of patients who have the same breast characteristics.
An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. Highly experienced surgeons should have access to hundreds or preferably thousands of before and after pictures. Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing only the best results of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like, what your results are likely to look like or how many of these procedures they’ve actually performed.
ask each provider regarding their most common indication for revision, what the revision rate is and what the revision policy is.
Each plastic surgeon will have their own method of helping patients choose the right implant. I personally do it by reviewing before and after pictures to get a clear understanding of what the patient is trying to accomplish. During surgery I use temporary sizers to get an outcome consistent with the pictures patients have shown me. I usually bring all of these pictures to the operating room and have a complete selection of implants available during surgery. Most surgeons have relationships with implant manufactures and most plastic surgeons stick to one manufacture to keep it simple. Some may access to different brands. Plastic surgeons who keep a consignment of implants typically only work with one company.
There isn’t much patience can do regarding their own candidacy. Plastic surgeons can’t move where the breast sit on the chest wall. What patients do you have a choice over is provider selection. In the hands of the right provider. Implant selection issues should be at a minimal.in the hands of the right provider implant election should be easy and straightforward. The biggest mistake most patients make is scheduling only one consultation, then moving on to scheduling surgery. Without having multiple consultations, you completely eliminate the ability to choose the best provider.
I generally recommend patients avoided traveling long distances for elective surgical procedures, and generally always recommend in person consultations compared to virtual consultations.
When, in doubt, slow down and schedule more consultations.
Best,
Matt Hagstrom, MD